Midwife Licensing Guide and FAQs

APPLICATION AND FEES

• Online Application for a Midwife License - Complete all fields, answer all questions, and upload any supporting documentation.
  
  
• Online applications can be completed by visiting www.michigan.gov/miplus
  
  
• Application Fee + 3 year license fee: (Must be paid by Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover credit or debit card)
  
  Midwife: $700.85
  Temporary Midwife: $492.60

THE FOLLOWING REQUIREMENTS APPLY TO ALL APPLICANTS

• Criminal Background Check – Once the online application is completed and submitted you will be emailed an Application Confirmation letter containing instructions to complete the Criminal Background Check (except those applicants seeking relicensure, for a license that expired within the last three years).
  
  
• Good Moral Character Questions – Documentation and explanation will be required if you answer “yes” to either question to show at the current time you have the ability to, and are likely to, serve the public in a fair, honest and open manner, that you are rehabilitated, or that the substance of the former offense is not reasonably related to the occupation or profession for which you are seeking a license.
  
  
• Human Trafficking Training – Completion of a training to identify victims of human trafficking is required for an individual seeking licensure or registration that meets the standards of Administrative Rule 338.17111.
  
  
• Implicit Bias Training – Completion of 2 hours of implicit bias training within the 5 years immediately preceding issuance of the license or registration is required.
  
  
• Social Security Number (SSN) – An individual applying for licensure is required to provide his or her social security number at the time of application.  If exempt under law from obtaining an SSN or you do not have an SSN, the SSN affidavit form will be required to be uploaded at the time the application is submitted.
  
  
• Verification of Licensure – Verification of licensure must be submitted directly to our office by the licensing agency of any state of the United States or country in which you hold or ever held a license as a midwife. The verification must show that disciplinary proceedings are not pending against the applicant and sanctions are not in force at the time of application. Verification can be emailed to bpldata@michigan.gov or mailed to the Bureau of Professional Licensing, PO Box 30670, Lansing, MI 48909.
  
  
• English Language Proficiency – An individual applying for licensure must demonstrate a working knowledge of the English language.  This can be established if either the applicant’s required health professional educational program was taught in English, a transcript establishes the applicant earned not less than 60 college level credits from an English-speaking graduate or undergraduate school, the applicant’s credentials and English proficiency have been evaluated and determined to be equivalent to the credentials required in this state by a board-approved credentialing agency, or that the applicant obtained a passing score on an approved English proficiency exam as established by the department under R 338.7002b(2) of the Public Health Code – General Rules.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR APPLICANTS WHO ARE NOT LICENSED IN ANOTHER STATE AS A MIDWIFE
(These are in addition to the requirements stated above that apply to All applicants)

• Meet one of the following:
  • Proof of completion of an educational program or pathway accredited by the Midwifery Education and Accreditation Council (MEAC), or its successor entity, or by another accrediting organization approved by the Board. Proof must be submitted directly to this office from the accredited organization by email to bpldata@michigan.gov or by mail to the Bureau of Professional Licensing, PO Box 30670, Lansing, MI 48909.
  • If prior to January 1, 2020, the applicant holds a current credential of certified professional midwife (CPM) from North American Registry of Midwives (NARM) or an equivalent credential from another board approved midwifery credentialing program, and satisfies both of the following:
    • Submit proof that he or she holds a midwifery bridge certificate awarded by NARM, its successor entity, or an equivalent credential from another board approved midwifery credentialing program.  Proof must be submitted directly to this office from credentialing organization by email to bpldata@michigan.gov or by mail to the Bureau of Professional Licensing, PO Box 30670, Lansing, MI  48909.  Visit NARM’s website at www.narm.org for information on requesting proof of certification.
    • Provide evidence that the midwifery credentialing program is accredited by the National Commission for Certifying (NCCA), its successor entity, or another accrediting organization approved by the board, only if the standards and evaluative criteria of the accrediting organization are determined to be equivalent to the standards of the NCCA.

   

• Submit proof of holding a current credential of CPM from NARM, or its successor entity, or an equivalent credential from another midwifery credentialing program that is accredited by the NCCA or another equivalent accrediting organization approved by the Board.  Proof must be submitted directly to this office from the credentialing organization by email to bpldata@michigan.gov or by mail to the Bureau of Professional Licensing, PO Box 30670, Lansing, MI 48909.

   

• Examination Scores - Submit proof of successfully passing the NARM examination or MEAC educational program or pathway examination scores if approved by the Board, directly to this office from the examination agency.  Examination scores must be emailed to bpldata@michigan.gov or mailed to the Bureau of Professional Licensing, PO Box 30670, Lansing, MI  48909.  Visit NARM’s website at www.narm.org for information on requesting exam certification.

   

• A licensed midwife must have obtained recredential or maintain the CPM credential from NARM, or equivalent approved by the board, during the license cycle.

   

• Submit proof to the department of completing the human trafficking training required in R 338.17111.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR LICENSURE BY ENDORSEMENT
(These are in addition to the requirements stated above that apply to All applicants)

All licensure by endorsement applicants must complete the following:

• Proof of holding a current credential of CPM from NARM or another midwifery credentialing program approved by the board submitted directly to this office by the credentialing organization by email to bpldata@michigan.gov or by mail to the Bureau of Professional Licensing, PO Box 30670, Lansing, MI 48909.

   

• Examination Scores - Submit proof of successfully passing the NARM examination or MEAC educational program or pathway examination scores if approved by the Board, directly to this office from the examination agency.  Examination scores must be emailed to bpldata@michigan.gov or mailed to the Bureau of Professional Licensing, PO Box 30670, Lansing, MI 48909.  Visit NARM’s website at www.narm.org for information on requesting exam certification.
  
  

Applicants for licensure by endorsement who are licensed in a state that requires completion of an educational program or pathway for licensure that is MEAC approved must complete the above requirements listed for all licensure by endorsement applicants along with the following requirement:

• Proof of completion of an educational program or pathway accredited by the MEAC or another accrediting organization approved by the Board.  Proof must be submitted directly to this office from the accredited organization by email to bpldata@michigan.gov or by mail to the Bureau of Professional Licensing, PO Box 30670, Lansing, MI 48909.

Applicants for licensure by endorsement who are licensed in a state that does not require completion of an educational program or pathway for licensure that is MEAC approved must complete the above requirements listed for all licensure by endorsement applicants along with the following requirement:

• Submit proof that he or she holds a midwifery bridge certificate awarded by NARM, or an equivalent credential from another board approved midwifery credentialing program.  Proof must be submitted directly to this office from credentialing organization by email to bpdata@michigan.gov or by mail to the Bureau of Professional Licensing, PO Box 30670, Lansing, MI  48909.  Visit NARM’s website at www.narm.org for information on requesting proof of certification.

   

• Provide evidence that the midwifery credentialing program is accredited by the National Commission for Certifying (NCCA), or another accrediting organization approved by the board only if the standards and evaluative criteria of the accrediting organization are determined to be equivalent to the standards of the NCCA.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENT FOR A TEMPORARY MIDWIFE LICENSE
(These are in addition to the requirements stated above that apply to All applicants)

• Evidence the applicant holds a current CPM credential from a non-accredited midwifery education program must be submitted directly to this office from the program provider by email to bpldata@michigan.gov or mail to the Bureau of Professional Licensing, PO Box 30670, Lansing, MI  48909.
  
  
• An individual who holds a temporary license must hold a midwifery bridge certificate from NARM or an equivalent credential approved by the board, to qualify for a license when his or her temporary license expires.
  
  
• Temporary Midwife License is valid for 24 months and is nonrenewable.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR THOSE APPLYING FOR RELICENSURE
(These are in addition to the requirements stated above that apply to All applicants)

• Online application can be completed by visiting www.michigan.gov/miplus and selecting MiPLUS Login. Once logged in, select “Modification” next to your license number and this will start the relicensure process.

• Midwife Relicensure Application and Fee: $720.65 (Must be paid by Visa, Mastercard, American Express or Discover credit or debit card)

All relicensure applicants must complete the following:

• Proof of holding an active CPM credential from NARM or an equivalent credential from another midwifery credentialing program approved by the Board and accredited by the NCCA or another accrediting organization approved by the Board. Proof must be submitted directly to this office from the credentialing organization by email to bpldata@michigan.gov or by mail to the Bureau of Professional Licensing, PO Box 30670, Lansing, MI 48909.
  
  
• Complete a 1-time training in identifying victims of human trafficking that meets the standards in R 338.17111.
  
  

Applicants for relicensure whose Michigan license has been lapsed for less than 7 years and who do not hold a license in another state, must have completed the following requirements in addition to the above requirement listed for all relicensure applicants:

• Continuing Education: Submit proof of having completed 30 continuing education hours in courses and programs and not less than1 hour in pain and symptom management, 2 hours of cultural awareness,1 hour of pharmacology related to the practice of midwifery, and 3 hours of implicit bias training which must be earned within the 3-year period immediately preceding the application for relicensure.
  
  

Applicants for relicensure whose Michigan license has lapsed 7 or more years and who do not hold a license in another state, must have completed the following requirements in addition to the above requirement listed for all relicensure applicants:

• Continuing Education: Submit proof of having completed 30 continuing education hours in courses and programs and not less than1 hour in pain and symptom management, 2 hours of cultural awareness,1 hour of pharmacology related to the practice of midwifery, and 3 hours of implicit bias training which must be earned within the 3-year period immediately preceding the application for relicensure.
  
  
• Submit proof showing that within the 3-year period immediately before the application for relicensure, the applicant has retaken and passed the examination developed and scored by NARM.  Proof must be submitted directly to this office from NARM by email to bpldata@michigan.gov or by mail to the Bureau of Professional Licensing, PO Box 30670, Lansing, MI 48909.
  
  

Applicants for relicensure whose Michigan license has lapsed more than 3 years, but who holds a current and valid midwife license in another state, must have completed the following requirements in addition to the above requirement listed for all relicensure applicants:

• Continuing Education: Submit proof of having completed 30 continuing education hours in courses and programs and not less than1 hour in pain and symptom management, 2 hours of cultural awareness, and 1 hour of pharmacology related to the practice of midwifery, and 3 hours of implicit bias training which must be earned within the 3-year period immediately preceding the application for relicensure.

   

RENEWAL REQUIREMENTS CHECKLIST

• Online Application for Midwife Renewal – Must be completed by visiting www.michigan.gov/miplus no sooner than 90 days prior to the expiration date of current license.
  
  
• Midwife Renewal Application Fee: $624.15 (Must be paid by Visa, Mastercard, American Express or Discover credit or debit card)
  
  
• Renewal Cycle: 3 years
  
  
• Good Moral Character Questions – Documentation and explanation will be required if you answer “yes” to either question to show at the current time you have the ability to, and are likely to, serve the public in a fair, honest and open manner, that you are rehabilitated, or that the substance of the former offense is not reasonably related to the occupation or profession for which you are seeking license renewal.
  
  
• Disciplinary Question – Documentation will be required if you answer “yes” to having sanctions imposed against you by a similar licensure, registration, certification, or disciplinary board of another state or country you have not previously reported to the department.
  
  
• Human Trafficking Training – Licensees seeking renewal must certify on their renewal application that prior to renewing their license they have completed a one-time training in identifying victims of human trafficking that meets the standards in Administrative Rule 338.17111.
  
  
• Implicit Bias Training – Three hours of implicit bias training.
  
  
• Accept Renewal Attestation -  By accepting the renewal attestation you as the licensee are certifying that you hold the credential of CPM from NARM, or equivalent credential approved by the board.  You are also certifying that you have met the continuing education requirements during the renewal period and all information provided on your renewal application is true and correct:
  
  
• Must be completed by the end of the 3 year license cycle prior to renewal:
  • At least 30 continuing education hours that is met by obtaining or maintaining, the credential of CPM from NARM, or an equivalent credential approved by the board.
  • One continuing education hour in pain and symptom management.
  • Two continuing education hours on cultural awareness that include examinations of disparate maternal infant mortality and morbidity experienced by the African American, indigenous populations, the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) community, and other vulnerable and marginalized populations. The implicit bias training required may also be used for credit for the cultural awareness training if the training meets all of the requiremens of the rule.
  • One continuing education hour in pharmacology applicable to the practice of midwifery.
  • Three hours of implicit bias training required in R 338.7004.

HELPFUL RESOURCES AND FORMS

By visiting www.michigan.gov/healthlicense and clicking on the midwifery link you can access the following helpful resources and forms:

Resources:

• Public Health Code
• Administrative Rules for Midwives

• Track continuing education using CE broker – The Bureau of Professional Licensing (BPL) has partnered with CE Broker to help licensed professionals keep track of their continuing education (CE) credits. Additional information can be found on our website.